Martinez Fischer memo: $414K in the bank as Senate District 26 race hits the home stretch

ground game growing in Senate District 26 race

Representative Trey Martinez Fischer is challenging state Sen. Jose Menendez in the March 1 primary for the Senate District 26 seat.

Photo: Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News

AUSTIN — State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer told supporters in a memo Saturday that his campaign for Senate District 26 is hitting the home stretch with plenty of cash — more than $400,000 in the bank— and a battle-tested field team that helped propel Sylvester Turner to victory in Houston's mayoral race.

Martinez Fischer is challenging state Sen. Jose Menéndez in what will likely be one of the most expensive and cantankerous state primary races on March 1.

--$300,000 raised in last six months--$470,000 total raised during 2015--$414,000 cash on hand

Campaign finance reports for the last six months are set to become public either today or Tuesday and will provide details on donors and expenditures.

Ground game:

Martinez Fischer also boasted about his field team in the memo. He says it's led by some of the same folks who helped former state Rep. Sylvester Turner become Houston mayor in a bitterly-contested election months ago.

"This is the product of a fully staffed field team consisting of a field director and five full-time regional field directors, the majority of whom have come to the Martinez Fischer campaign after electing Sylvester Turner Mayor of Houston. Field staff and operations will continue to grow over the next month as the Martinez Fischer field program begins its final drive going into early vote."

Shin kick:

The memo also included a PDF copy of this San Antonio Express-News story that focused on Martinez Fischer's status as a challenger in the race and how that could hurt his ability to raise money from PACs and lobbyists.

Martinez Fischer's camp has tried to seize on a quote from a Menéndez strategist in the story in which he says they'll be keeping track of whether PACs and lobbyists spend to support the incumbent or his challenger.

"... recent statements made by his campaign to the San Antonio Express News confirms Martinez Fischer's surge has them both worried and defensive to the point of making threats to anyone supporting Martinez Fischer's campaign (attached). Clearly that is not the sign of a confident campaign nor is it a winning strategy for a campaign that claims to have a double digit lead. Instead it speaks volumes to Menendez's vulnerability."